UPDATE Adding to the collection??

[poolnoodle]

Hi All,
I am always looking for additions to the beemer collection and have spotted a E34 535i not to far away.

As you can see in the ad, the car has M badges, not too sure if these are dodgey additions but there are obviously some "m" parts on the car.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110784214829 ... 1438.l2649

Afer some advise on what to look out for with these cars. Rust isn't an issue around here so more about mechanicals.
Thanks in advance.

[nickso]

M badges are likely fake unless the Oz had a special edition. Looks to be the same colour as my old 540i, miss that car.

What's 240k in real money? Sounds high enough to be looking at cooling and headgaskets etc.

It's got cruise though.

[poolnoodle]

What's 240k in real money? Sounds high enough to be looking at cooling and headgaskets etc.

150K miles for those in the dark ages

[mrLEE30]

i assume as it has M5 rims on (or look alikes) the original owner wanted to make it into an "M5" by adding the badges.

It is also the facelift 5 series as can be seen from the front wider grill.

If i was seriously looking at it then firstly check if its a Japanese import, if it is there will be a plaque on the inner wing opposite the pass side suspension strut (opposite the paint code) other more obvious giveaways are the info on the door jams are in Japanese, or in the fuel filler nozzle, and if all stickers removed then look what brand the Ac compressor is as only Japan has Seiko compressors IIRC. Japanese cars are well looked afdter and low milage, but are known for being unrealiable milage. However thay all have high spec and the tropical cooling system.

As with all old cars drive it over a bumpy road with no stereo on and listen for knocks and creaks (worn control arm ball joints or bushes - chap to fix but good for bargaining), drive at speed 50 mph (80km ) and come hard off and on the throttle, listen for diff noise clunks (diff bushing easy fix) and of course noise from drive train/vibration.

and finally engine should sound well, and after your test drive leave it idleing with A/C on while you inspect it for 5 mins, temp should not go above middle of scale (fan clutch on way out or electric fan not operating)

check A/C works (dont be fooled by the "it just needs gas" excuse and no gas usually means dry seals and a major overhaul) and everything else is just nuts and bolts.

Good luck!

[poolnoodle]

Thanks MrLee.
Have read that these are great old cars and I will be checking service history closely as that is normally the best guide. Have a good mate who is a BMW "Master Technician" so will be getting his opinion before outlaying the folding!
Some broader advice is always good to read

[capri_rob]

It is also the facelift 5 series as can be seen from the front wider grill.

Are we looking at different cars ?

That looks like an early front end to me.

[pacerpete]

It's an early turd with a grey discomfort interior, turds like that are priced by the KG here !

M badges are obviously randomly stuck on by a previous peasant and the wheels appear to be snide . The easy way to check is the real ones have removable covers.


A good spec (not this sorry stripper) well maintained E34 is still in 2011 a nice car but I could think of a lot of better ways of doing 17 mpg

[mrLEE30]

It is also the facelift 5 series as can be seen from the front wider grill.

Are we looking at different cars ?

That looks like an early front end to me.

you are right, at first glance it looks like the big grill, but looking at my old pics of mine its not....

[Jhonno]

I would put money on the wheels being snide..

[poolnoodle]

Have ended up making a late Christmas purchase and after beating down the owner, I got this car for a steal (by local standards, anyway).

The wheels are definitely geniune BMW with new tyres (making them worth more than half what I paid!!). The car is in very solid condition, drives nicely (albeit somewhat wafty) and the photos don't do the paint work justice.
The M badges will go very shortly
The car has FSH and only a few minor glitches - dash electrics a little fruity, minor stone chips, slight gutter rash and leather needs a feed.
With the '02 off the road for the forseeable future and the E30 only used for special occasions, this is a nice addition to the garage - replaces my partner's '96 Corolla

A clean up, clay barm wax, etc is scheduled for the weekend, pics to follow.

[adit]

I would put money on the wheels being snide..

hope you didn't then Jhonno

[Jhonno]

I would put money on the wheels being snide..

hope you didn't then Jhonno

They didn't look like they sat right, and looked 1 piece.. Bonus that they aren't though!

[poolnoodle]

Can anyone share some good E34 / 5er forum or parts supply sites?

[spook]

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/